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She saw dear Mother Goose the door throw open wide 





























Mother Goose Fun 

Copyright, 1931, by Albert Whitman & Co. 
Chicago, U.S.A. 



©CIA 40496 

JUL 24 1931 



L-z ti'3;<y 



To WILLIAM DAVID NEEFUS 
My Son 




Looks around to see what he can see 






















































Introduction 

It happens now and then, we find, and children too 
find out, that pleasant days will often come in spite of 
every doubt. For Mother Goose remembers well her 
children all so fine; she takes them one by one, they 
number over nine. 

Right through the days they gaily march, on New 
Year’s Eve begin; then straight ahead the line pro¬ 
ceeds, till Santa Claus calls them in. 

Alas! Here they stop, for the year’s at an end, and 
the fun is over too. They sigh with regret and tell 
Mother Goose how they’d like to begin anew. 

For the little boys and little girls who appear before 
us here have found out just how much real fun will 
be theirs throughout each year. 


7 




CONTENTS 

PAGE 


The Little New Year . u 

The Queen of Heart's Party. 18 

Tom, the Piper's Son on St. Patrick's Day. . 26 

Humpty Dumpty and the Easter Eggs. 33 

Mistress Mary on Arbor Day. 41 

Little Bo-peep on May Day. 49 

Old Mother Hubbard on Mother's Day. 55 

Little Boy Blue and the Bees. 62 

Curly Locks on Flag Day. 69 

Dicky Doubt on the Fourth or July. 76 

Miss Muffet and the Spider. 83 

Simple Simon Goes to School. 88 

The Children on Columbus Day. 95 

Jack and Jill at Hallowe'en. 102 

Jack Horner's Thanksgiving Pie. hi 

The Mother Goose Children Help 

Santa Claus . 120 


9 




















To welcome a little New Year 








MOTHER GOOSE FUN 



THE LITTLE NEW YEAR 

H T was the day before New Year’s 
in Mother Goose Land; the chil¬ 
dren as good as could be, were happy 
with all the new play things and toys 
which Santa had left on their tree. Bo- 
peep and Jack Horner, the sweet Queen 
of Hearts, Humpty Dumpty and Little 
Boy Blue—they were all of them there 
11 




MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


and some others besides. And toys! 
There were more than a few. 

Mother Goose, dear old lady, smiled 
with delight as she chanced to look in 
on the scene, for children not always 
(we have to admit) are found so con¬ 
tent and serene. 

On the floor, in the corner sat little 
Bo-peep, with her doll in a pretty new 
bed. On the wall by her side a calendar 
hung, with nice shining numbers in 
red. 

“See, dolly,” she said, “there’s a five 
and a ten, and thirty-one stands for to¬ 
day.” But the doll was asleep so she 
called to Boy Blue who was sitting 
close by her at play. 

12 


THE LITTLE NEW YEAR 

“Just six days since Christmas,” said 
Little Boy Blue. He put down his horn 
with a sigh. “Why think, boys and 
girls, before next Christmas comes we 
must wait for a year to go by!” 

Then the children all gathered round 
little Bo-peep, and left all their fun and 
their play; and soon puckered fore¬ 
heads and queer little frowns, had 
chased all their laughter away. 

“That’s a very long time for children 
to wait,” said little Miss Muffet, “oh 
dear, why I learned in school in arith¬ 
metic class, there are fifty-two weeks 
in a year!” 

“Over three hundred days, it does 


13 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


not seem right,” and Bo-peep shook her 
bright golden curls. “It does seem to 
me as if Christmas should come at least 
once a week, boys and girls.” 

“So do I, it’s just mean,” Humpty 
Dumpty spoke up, and his face almost 
cracked from his frown. While the 
sweet Queen of Heart’s pretty mouth 
which curved up, was now pouting 
with corners turned down. 

“My, my, what’s the trouble?” said 
old Mother Goose as she quickly came 
into the room where a short time ago 
there was laughter and joy, there now 
was much pouting and gloom. They 
told her their trouble, she shook her 


'4 


THE LITTLE NEW YEAR 


wise head, “How foolish you are, every 
one. Why all through the year every 
month brings you gifts and pleasure and 
no end of fun. With sliding and skating 
and snow-balls and ice, to make the old 
winter time gay. While in summer 
come flowers and days at the beach, 
and birds who will sing while you play. 

“Suppose you just think of the nice 
things each month will bring this old 
earth through the year. The first gift 
of all—I declare ’tis most time for that 
nice surprise to be here! It will come 
in the night and you may be asleep, I 
am sure you will all be in bed. It isn’t 
a baby and yet it’s quite young, in fact 
’tis just brand new,” she said. 

i s 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


Bo-peep clapped her hands, a 0h, we 
never can guess, you must tell us, dear 
Mother, please do.” 

“Not now, come to supper and eat 
with a smile. The secret I’ll tell when 
you’re through.” 

They all ate their supper as good 
children should. They forgot all their 
troubles and so, they played for awhile 
until bedtime came round and to 
dreamland all children must go. 

And now for the SECRET. Mother 
Goose kissed each one and laughed 
as she tucked them all in, and put all 
their shoes and their stockings away 
and made the room neat as a pin. 

16 


THE LITTLE NEW YEAR 

“Sweet dreams to you all, and please 
go right to sleep, but at midnight you 
may wake to hear, how the whistles 
will blow and glad church bells will 
ring, to welcome a little NEW YEAR!” 



/ 




17 




THE QUEEN OF HEART’S PARTY 

H HE birthday of the Queen of 
Hearts comes on St. Valentine’s 
Day. Each year she has a party and 
invites her friends to play. They come 
and spend the afternoon and eat ice 
cream and cake, and little tarts cut out 
like hearts, which Mother likes to 
make. 

This year, the Queen is six years old 
and can quite nicely write, so she sent 
a note to every child she wanted to in- 


18 



QUEEN OF HEART’S PARTY 

vite. She used a piece of paper, cut 
out of cardboard red, and shaped just 
like a valentine and this is what it said: 
“I am going to have a party, I hope 
that you can come, at three o’clock 
on Tuesday, and join us in our fun.” 
It was quite a task to write them but 
at last she finished all, put on the 
stamps, and gave them to her friend, 
the postman, tall. The children were 
delighted and accepted, every one, and 
said they wished the happy day would 
hurry up and come! 

The Queen must choose the games 
to play and plan the party too, and so 
she asked dear Mother Goose, at bed- 


19 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


time, what to do. In the pleasant gold¬ 
en fire light, in the easy big arm-chair, 
the Queen of Hearts and Mother Goose 
made plans together, there. 

When Tuesday came around at last, 
each one was dressed with care. Each 
had clean hands and nice white nails, 
and each had combed his hair. They 
were not dressed in fancy clothes, as 
perhaps one may suppose. Oh, no, 
when one is out for fun, ’tis wise to 
wear plain clothes. 

There were Jack and Jill, Miss 
Muffet, prim, and Tom the Piper’s Son, 
Boy Blue and all the others. She had 
not forgotten one. And then the Queen 


20 


QUEEN OF HEART’S PARTY 

of Hearts had asked the lame boy at 
the corner. With smiling face he 
limped along beside our friend, Jack 
Horner. Jack walked with care, and 
slowly, so the lame boy would not slip, 
and if they were a trifle late, Jack did 
not mind one bit. 

Then in the house and up the stairs, 
yes, way up to the top. Until they 
reached the attic, they did not pause 
nor stop. A party in the attic! A lovely 
place it seems, with nice clean floor 
and bright red hearts on strings hung 
from the beams. 

Way over in the corner a funny fat 
old sprite was stirring something in a 


21 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

pot, which caused them great delight. 
It smelled and looked like orangeade 
and my, it tasted good, to thirsty little 
boys and girls. They drank it as they 
should; the little fluted, paper cups 
they held with greatest care. There 
was orangeade for everyone and plenty 
more to spare. They soon discovered 
that the sprite was just Bo-peep and 
she was dressed in fancy clothes and 
looked as jolly as could be. 

Mother Goose then gave to every 
child a piece of string to wind and 
when they reached the very end a pres¬ 
ent, each would find. The strings were 
wound around the beams, and all about 


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They held the string ivith greatest care and wound it in and out 

























































MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


the chairs and also they were twined 
around the railing on the stairs. The 
children all worked busily and had 
great patience too, and when they 
found a snarl or knot, they must not 
jerk, they knew. They held the string 
with greatest care and wound it in and 
out. When at last the horrid knot came 
out they gave a merry shout. It took 
some time to reach the end and pack¬ 
age neatly tied, there each child found 
a chocolate heart was tucked away in¬ 
side. 

There were many other merry games, 
they liked them every one, and not one 
child was cross or did one thing to spoil 


24 


QUEEN OF HEART’S PARTY 

the fun. When it was time to eat ice 
cream they gaily marched down stairs, 
and there they found the table fixed, 
around it all the chairs. Each child sat 
straight before the plate which held the 
good ice cream while on the pretty 
birthday cake, six colored candles 
gleam. 

But parties all must have an end and 
on the wall the clock was slowly mov¬ 
ing on toward six—tick-tock, tick-tock, 
tick-tock. 

They bade the Queen of Hearts 
good-night and thanked her for their 
fun, and the lame boy from the corner 
was the very happiest one. 


2 5 



TOM, THE PIPER’S SON ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY 

H OM, Tom, the Piper’s Son came 
walking down the street, looking 
just as small boys should, very clean 
and neat. His face was washed, his 
hands were, clean, his shoes were 
blacked with care. His best suit too, 
which generally was kept for Sunday 
wear. His hands were in his pockets 
and he whistled shrill and high. If he 
did not have some fun to-day, he’d 
know the reason why! 

26 


ST. PATRICK’S DAY 


Tom knew, among his many friends, 
an Irishman named Pat. The owner of 
a newstand, he was jolly, round and 
fat. As the stand was near Tom’s cor¬ 
ner, very frequently he went to help 
Pat sell his papers. Many Saturdays 
he spent, pretending that the newstand 
was his, what fun he had! And Pat was 
glad to have him there, “Sure, he’s a 
winning lad!” Mother Goose approved 
the friendship for when Tom was with 
Pat, it kept him out of mischief and 
troubles such as that. 

St. Patrick’s Day Pat always took a 
holiday from care and journeyed to the 
city. The Sons of Erin there, were sure 


27 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


to have a big parade, it was the great¬ 
est sight, with half a dozen bands or 
more, and flags and banners bright! 
Pat had told Tom all about it, many, 
many, times and so you could hardly 
wonder that poor Tom had longed and 
longed to go. Then one day Pat in¬ 
vited him and Mother Goose said 
“Yes,” so why Tom wears his Sunday 
clothes, it is not hard to guess. 

St. Patrick’s Day had come at last 
and Tom and Pat were there to catch 
the train at ten o’clock, and what a 
happy pair! Tom loved to ride upon 
the train and all along the way the car 
wheels seemed to sing to him, “Hooray, 
hooray, hooray!” 


28 


ST. PATRICK’S DAY 


The journey was not very long, they 
reached the city soon, and found a 
place to watch the fun. The march 
would start at noon. The street was 
crowded so Tom thought the time 
would never come, but all at once he 
plainly heard the rumble of a drum. 
Then nearer, nearer, on they came, oh, 
it was fun to see! The men all marched 
so straight and tall, the bands played 
merrily. Tom’s feet kept time, a rap- 
tap-tap, and people called “Hurrah!” 
and Tom was very sorry when the last 
of it they saw. 

He wished parades would never end, 
but like an endless chain, before the 


29 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


last men finished, some more would 
start again. He wished parades would 
last and last from early morn till night. 
Pat said the men would get too tired 
and that would not be right. 

They ate their dinner in a hall the 
Sons of Erin had, and oh, how good it 
tasted to the hungry man and lad. Pat 
said it was a banquet, the first that 
Tom had seen. The tables trimmed 
with shamrocks and little flags of green, 
were loaded down with goodies enough 
for everyone. While all the time the 
band played jigs, which added to the 
fun. 

Tom was certain he had never had a 


30 



The men all marched so straight and tall 

































































MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


time like this before, every time the 
band stopped playing, he would clap 
his hands for more. But the hour came 
round when they must leave and hurry 
to the train, which left at five o’clock 
to take the travelers home again. 

That night Tom told dear Mother 
Goose about his happy day, about the 
sights and banners bright, he’d seen 
along the way. Pat had given him 
some shamrock and a nice green flag 
to keep. “Oh, I’m glad they have St. 
Patrick’s Day!” Then Tom fell fast 
asleep. 



32 



HUMPTY DUMPTY AND THE EASTER EGGS 

H N a wall sat Humpty Dumpty 
looking very pale and sad. He 
knew that it was Easter time; instead 
of being glad that soon the robins 
would be back and all the bluebirds 
gay, he was thinking of some other 
things that come with Easter Day. 

“Oh, dear,” said Humpty Dumpty, 
and he made a funny face, “I think I 
will climb down from here and find a 
quiet place, where I can think things 


33 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

over, for Easter soon will come. I do 
not like that day! I think it’s not one 
bit of fun.” 

He had to jump down from the wall 
and almost hurt his leg, but up he 
bobbed for he was shaped exactly like 
an egg. He rolled and limped along 
the path that led down by the brook, 
and there at last he found some shrubs 
which made a little nook. Humpty 
Dumpty made a nice soft seat of bits 
of evergreen, and then sat down to 
think, quite sure that he could not be 
seen. 

This matter now of Easter eggs! He 
worried much each year for fear some 


34 


THE EASTER EGGS 

one would steal him when Easter time 
was near. It was hard to look so like 
an egg, mistakes are often made, and 
folks might mix him with the lot the fat 
old hens had laid! 

Humpty Dumpty, just last year, had 
seen a great big pot, a-boiling in the 
kitchen, and oh, so very hot. And into 
it were put real eggs and boiled until 
quite hard, then they were brightly col¬ 
ored and polished with some lard. On 
some of them were pictures made, and 
some were shining gold. What hap¬ 
pened to them later? He had often 
heard it told. 

The Easter eggs were put with care 


35 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


into a basket round, and set out in the 
orchard where the bunnies could be 
found. And there at night, these bun¬ 
nies came and carried them away and 
hid them for the children to hunt on 
Easter Day. 

’Twas very nice to see the eggs all 
colored up so fine, and very nice for 
children to have at Easter time; but 
Humpty Dumpty did not want to boil 
in any pot, or have his face dyed col¬ 
ors, he guessed he’d rather not! And 
so each year he was afraid and he wor¬ 
ried until he was so sad about it all he 
really felt quite ill. 

It made him feel like that right now. 


36 


THE EASTER EGGS 


He’d lie there for a bit and take a nap. 
A good safe place! He’d make the most 
of it. So Humpty Dumpty settled 
down and dreams were very near when 
he was greatly startled, tiny sounds 
outside to hear. Very softly Humpty 
Dumpty peeked from out his hiding 
place. There in the grasses he could 
see a tiny, bunny face; and patter, pat¬ 
ter, patter, came several rabbits near. 
Then Humpty Dumpty began to cry 
and wiped away a tear. 

Suppose that they should find him 
and carry him away! And boil him 
hard, and paint him green or gold for 
Easter Day! Humpty Dumpty very 


37 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


carefully lay down so still and white, 
he hoped they would not find him; but 
rabbits’ eyes are bright, and the tiny 
little bunny was jumping all around, 
when he called, “Oho, you rabbits, just 
see what I have found! A great big 
whopping Easter egg, oh, do come here 
and see. ’Tis not a very pretty one and 
cracked, it seems to me.” 

Around sad Humpty Dumpty, the 
rabbits crowded fast. He thought the 
end had come, he’d be an Easter egg 
at last! He lay so still he almost looked 
as if he might be stone, but he could 
hear them talking and this is what one 
said, “An Easter egg! Oh, no, that 


38 


THE EASTER EGGS 



Around sad Hurnpty Dumpty the rabbits crowded fast 

funny thing would never do. Besides 
he is half cracked I think and very 
homely too. We don’t want him of that 
I’m sure. Come, Bunnies, let us go and 
find some really good ones, the place is 
near I know.” 


39 





MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


So off they went a-hop-hop-hop, and 
Humpty Dumpty lay and thought and 
thought about the things he’d heard 
the rabbits say. Because you see, his 
pride was hurt as you may well sup¬ 
pose, to think they did not want him 
for reasons such as those. And all the 
worry he had had, how silly it had 
been! After this the thought of Easter 
eggs, would never bother him. 



40 



MISTRESS MARY ON ARBOR DAY 

H ISTRESS MARY, quite contrary, 
early in the spring, began to think 
of gardens and the flowers June would 
bring. Of roses red, and buttercups and 
violets in the grass, “Oh dear, June 
seems so far away,” sighed this impa¬ 
tient lass. 

Then up spoke dear old Mother 
Goose. “Why, Mary, you must know 
that flowers are not the only things to 


41 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

plant and help to grow. Have you for¬ 
gotten Arbor Day, which very soon will 
come? A most important day it is. 
You children, every one, may plant a 
little shrub or tree and each may 
choose the kind that he likes best. To 
watch it grow will be good fun you’ll 
find. I will take you to a nursery 
where trees and flowers grow, for how 
to plant a tree just right, is good for 
you to know.” 

“But why do they have Arbor Day 
and what’s it all about? Why do not 
trees just plant themselves?” so ques¬ 
tioned Dicky Doubt. 

Mother gathered them about her 


42 


ARBOR DAY 

knee and told them of the good done 
by the trees in other ways than giving 
people wood. Some trees give shade, 
and some give fruit, and some grow 
straight and tall, to make good masts 
for sailing ships. The greatest good of 
all, is work that’s done by all the trees 
in storing up the rain by holding damp¬ 
ness in their leaves until more comes 
again. In places where there are no 
trees, the air is dry and hot, there is 
no green grass to play on, nor a single 
shady spot. 

“I would not live in such a place,” 
said Dick, “but we have trees, around 
our yard, so why plant more? Why 
can’t we do with these?” 


43 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


“Some trees grow old,” said Mother 
Goose, “and some get sick and die, and 
many more are cut for wood, so each 
year we must try to plant some more 
to take the place of them on Arbor 
Day. We each will plan to plant one 
tree. Now all run out and play.” 

Arbor Day soon came, each little 
child was ready for the fun, each had 
his spade and shovel out. A tree for 
every one was leaning up against the 
barn, the roots tied up with care, with 
nice black dirt around them. They 
stood like soldiers there. 

Jack Horner had an apple tree, for 
he loves apple pie. A peach tree which 


44 


ARBOR DAY 

Bo-peep picked out to plant, was there 
close by. While Humpty Dumpty 
chose a pear and Dicky Doubt, a plum. 
The children all love fruit and know 
’tis good for every one. 

Miss Muffet had a fir tree with 
needles long and fine, while Jack and 
Jill chose Christmas trees, a spruce tree 
and a pine. Mary had a maple tree for 
they grow fast she said, and in the fall 
their leaves all turn such pretty shades 
of red! 

Fruit trees were planted out in back 
behind the garden beds. The ever¬ 
greens stood by the porch, with gently 
nodding heads. 


45 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


They dug the holes with greatest 
care, very deep and wide, so as not to 
crush the little roots; then soft brown 
dirt inside and lots of water; then the 
tree. While one child held it there the 
others put the dirt around and packed 
it down with care. The man from whom 
they bought the trees had told them 
what to do, and each had listened 
closely, but Mary thought she knew. 
So she did not even bother to remem¬ 
ber what he said. “I guess I’ve had a 
garden,” said she and shook her head. 

Then Mary dug a little hole and put 
her tree in there, and if the roots were 
crowded, she did not seem to care. A 


46 



For Mary was contrary 























MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


little bit of water she was very sure 
would do, for Mary was contrary, as 
the other children knew. 

When the work at last was finished, 
each sturdy little tree stood ready now 
to do its part, and grow for all to see. 
And through the following summer 
days, the showers and the sun, there 
was just one tree which drooped and 
died. Now can you tell which one? 



48 



LITTLE BO-PEEP ON MAY DAY 

UT in the meadow everything was 
gaily dressed in green, and in 
among the grasses the violets could be 
seen, and windflowers too of dainty 
pink were nodding to and fro. Bo-peep 
just loved the meadow, for she would 
daily go, to take her lambs and sheep 
out there and while they browsed 
around, she would pick the pretty 
flowers which often could be found. 

The lambs all liked the fresh young 


49 



MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

grass as children like ice cream, and 
after they had eaten they could nestle 
down and dream, jn some cozy, shady 
little spot which made a pleasant bed. 
While the sheep dog standing near 
them would slowly nod his head. 

When May Day came around, Bo- 
peep was more than ever glad. She 
would find the very sweetest ferns and 
blossoms to be had! She wished to 
make a basket of twigs and mosses 
green and in it put a fine bouquet, the 
finest ever seen. “A nice surprise for 
Mother Goose, I’ll hang it on her door, 
and ring the bell and run away and 
hide an hour or more!” 


50 


MAY DAY 


So gaily to the meadow Bo-peep then 
led her sheep. With her went old Rov¬ 
er, who the best of watch would keep, 
of all the lambs and drive them back 
if too far off they ran. Bo-peep was 
sure old Rover knew as much as any 
man. 

She found a shady grassy bank and 
on it settled down, with sticks and 
string and scissors, and on her face a 
frown. But it was not a cross one, I 
am sure that you have guessed, she was 
merely thinking very hard of how to 
work the best. At last she had it nicely 
planned and fastened sticks with care 
and on them placed some soft green 
51 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


moss which looked so pretty there. The 
ferns and flowers must be picked, they 
were not hard to find and soon she had 
a large bouquet of flowers of many 
kinds. 

She put the ferns around the edge and 
tucked them firmly there; then vio¬ 
lets and windflowers, and dainty maid¬ 
enhair. Of slender pussy willow twigs, 
she made a handle tall and when it was 
all finished, old Rover heard her call, 
“I am going on an errand, I will leave 
you with the sheep. Be sure and keep 
your eyes on them and do not go to 
sleep.” 

Old Rover wagged his tail to say that 


52 


MAY DAY 


she could trust him well. He was proud 
to have her do so as any one could tell. 

Bo-peep picked up her basket and 
carried it with care to Mother Goose’s 
pretty house. But no one saw her there, 
for she was very careful that no one 
was about, when she tiptoed on the 
porch as still as fairies are no doubt. 
She hung the basket on the knob, then 
loudly rang the bell, and ran and hid 
behind a tree where she could peek 
quite well. 

Soon she saw dear Mother Goose the 
door throw open wide, “What, no one 
here?” Then on the knob, the pretty 
flowers she spied. “A fairy has been 

S3 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


here/’ she said. “Oh, what a nice sur¬ 
prise.” Her face was bright with pleas¬ 
ure and a smile was in her eyes. “Or 
perhaps it was a little girl who left it. 
Who can tell? But I’m very sure ’twas 
someone whom we all of us love well.” 

Bo-peep peeked out behind her tree 
and saw her shut the door. She must 
hurry back and watch her sheep and 
little lambs once more. So down the 
hill she ran again as happy as could be. 
“I love to plan a nice surprise, and have 
it work!” thought she. 



54 



OLD MOTHER HUBBARD ON MOTHER’S DAY 

H OU have heard about old Mother 
Hubbard and of how much she 
wanted a bone to give to her dog! 
Mother Hubbard and he lived in a 
small house all alone. It had a green 
roof and chimney of red with smoke 
curling up to the sky. Its windows 
were shining and spotless to see, no 
dust and no dirt could one spy. 


55 




MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


Mother Hubbard kept house for her¬ 
self and her dog, she worked with pa¬ 
tience and care, but she had very little 
to do with; she had seldom a penny 
to spare. Sometimes the poor doggy 
had little to eat, Mother Hubbard had 
little herself, and instead of a cupboard 
full of good things, there was often 
enough a bare shelf! Poor Mother Hub¬ 
bard, we know, was quite old and had 
not one child of her own, to help her 
one bit or even to see that the poor 
little dog had a bone. 

Mother’s Day comes in May, and the 
children all knew Mother Goose must 
have a surprise. They planned one 

56 


MOTHER’S DAY 

each year to give pleasure to her and 
make a glad smile in her eyes. Mother 
Goose had so many good children. Of 
course they wanted to help every one. 
It hardly seemed fair, I can hear you 
declare, that poor Mother Hubbard had 
none! 

There was one little boy in Mother 
Goose Town who thought of the very 
same thing. (It was wee Tommy Tuck¬ 
er, who cried for his supper, and then 
found ’twas better to sing.) He knew 
what it meant to worry a lot for fear 
that there might be no bread. “Mother 
Goose has so much that I know she 
won’t mind if I surprise Mother Hub¬ 
bard instead.” 


57 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


So when Mother’s Day came to 
Mother Goose Town, his plans he had 
carefully made to leave a large box at 
the Hubbard’s wee house. (We would 
hardly believe what it weighed!) All 
the others helped Tommy to pack up 
the box, just like Christmas, they said, 
and such fun! A gift of some food, de¬ 
licious and good, was carefully brought 
by each one. 

A dozen fresh eggs, Humpty Dumpty 
gave these; Jack and Jill gave a basket 
of fruit. Queen of Hearts made some 
cookies and worked very hard before 
they were frosted to suit. There were 
bones for the dog; there were vege- 


58 


MOTHER’S DAY 



Doggie said most politely, “Bow Wow!" 

tables too, and a beef steak all juicy 
and red. A cake for dessert, on the 
icing of which, “To Mother” in candies, 
it said. 

Mother Goose said the box looked so 
good, she was glad her boys and her 


59 




MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

girls had done this, for old Mother 
Hubbard. All she wanted herself, from 
each was a hug and a kiss! 

Then off down the street, the gay 
happy crowd, at last was ready to 
start. The box packed so full was tied 
with a rope in wee Tommy Tucker’s 
new cart. 

Mother Hubbard was home and she 
heard the bell ring, and came to the 
door in surprise. When she saw the 
dear children and what they had 
brought, she blinked and she winked 
her old eyes. Could there be a mistake? 

“Are you sure it’s for me?” she asked 
Tommy Tucker. He smiled. 


6o 


MOTHER’S DAY 


“It is Mother’s Day, please, do you 
mind if we play that just for to-day I’m 
your child?” 

“Why bless your dear heart, I am 
proud to do that, to thank you I hard¬ 
ly know how!” Then up walked her 
doggie and sat up so straight and said 
most politely, “BOW, WOW!” 



61 




LITTLE BOY BLUE AND THE BEES 

N early June the sun is bright and 
all the cows and sheep are happy 
in the meadow with the fresh young 
grass to eat. The corn has just been 
planted and Boy Blue must watch with 
care to see that no cows run away to 
do some damage there. The corn field 
is across the road, and there are fences 
high. The cows cannot get in there so 
it is no use to try, if gates are shut and 



62 





LITTLE BOY BLUE 


bars are up, and Boy Blue sees to that. 
The day is warm and so Boy Blue takes 
off his coat and hat. 

He finds he feels quite sleepy but no 
haystacks can he see, and so he settles 
down to watch beneath an apple tree. 
Some late young blossoms on the tree 
make all the air smell sweet. Boy Blue 
is glad indeed that he has such a pleas¬ 
ant seat. The cows and sheep are nib¬ 
bling grass, behaving as they should. 
Boy Blue lies down on moss and thinks 
it certainly feels good. 

“If anyone should ask me, it is better 
than my bed.” As thus he thinks, he 
hears a gentle buzzing overhead. Some 


63 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


honey bees out hunting find the blos¬ 
soms on the tree. “Come on, come on, 
you lazy ones,” they gaily hum with 
glee. And soon the bees in numbers 
large are gathering around. Boy Blue 
looks on with pleasure from his bed up¬ 
on the ground. 

“What busy little things they are or 
so it seems to me. They must get aw¬ 
fully tired, it is silly as can be to work 
so hard. What is the use?” and then he 
looks surprised for a very interesting 
sight is there before his eyes. The bees 
are gathering in groups and how they 
buzz and hum! They are making plans 
and watching for somebody to come. 

64 


LITTLE BOY BLUE 

Then along the largest branch some 
leaves are gently fastened there and 
out upon the end of it is placed a tiny 
chair. It is made of little apple twigs, 
with moss upon the seat, and an apple 
blossom tiny, makes a footstool for the 
feet. Then all at once such buzzing, 
such joyful humming too! That there 
is great excitement is apparent to Boy 
Blue. 

A fleet of tiny airplanes very quietly 
glides down. Out steps the Queen of 
all the bees, upon her head a crown. It 
seems to be of solid gold and glistens 
in the sun. Her robes are made of vel¬ 
vet and embroidered every one. She 
65 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


walks with grace along the bough until 
she sees the chair, which now becomes 
her throne. The Queen arranges robes 
with care, then sharply all around the 
tree, Boy Blue can see her glance. (The 
bees have all become wee men await¬ 
ing to advance.) They stand before her 
there in rows, each pausing anxiously 
until his turn shall come to go before 
the great Queen Bee. 

Each has a bag which seems quite 
full, perhaps it may be money. But no, 
it seems to be well packed with what 
will make good honey. “My bees,” the 
Queen with pleasure speaks, “you have 
done well indeed. ’Tis plain you do 


66 


LITTLE BOY BLUE 


your work with care and all your les¬ 
sons heed. In days to come a-plenty 
there will be, and you may rest, and 
play with great contentment because 
you did your best. Why, little bees, I 
would be sad and cry and cry I know, 
if you were like a lazy boy I see down 
there below! He was sent out by his 
father to care for cows and sheep, and 
then instead of watching them, lies 
down and goes to sleep!” 

Boy Blue is startled. Sure enough 
the Queen begins to cry so hard the 
tears fall off the tree. One hits him in 
the eye. Boy Blue jumps up and looks 
around to see what he can see. He can 


67 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


not hear the buzzing nor find a single 
bee. He cannot see the tiny throne nor 
hear the Queen Bee cry; but over head 
a rain cloud, is slowly drifting by. 



68 



CURLY LOCKS ON FLAG DAY 

IITTLE Curly Locks sews very 
nicely. We have heard how she 
sewed up a seam, and as a reward, was 
then given some strawberries sweet, 
and good cream. 

The Mother Goose children at school 
had been taught that Flag Day would 
come very soon, and that it was well 
to remember with pride, the flag on the 


69 



MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


fourteenth of June. At home they dis¬ 
cussed it with Mother and talked of 
the red, white, and blue. How Ameri¬ 
cans all, whether children or men, 
should try to be brave and be true. 

Mother Goose sitting there in her 
old rocking chair, to all that they said 
listened well. It was all very true and 
now she, in her turn, to them a true 
story would tell. So she told them just 
how the very first flag in old Philadel¬ 
phia was made. How George Washing¬ 
ton heard of good Betsy Ross, and chose 
this colonial maid, to sew the first flag 
for her country, to make it with stripes 
red and white, and to put in the stars 


70 


FLAG DAY 


on the square of dark blue; a star for 
each state would be right. 

Then Curly Locks said, gaily clap¬ 
ping her hands, “I know what we chil¬ 
dren can do! When Flag Day comes 
round let us play Betsy Ross and have 
General Washington too.” The chil¬ 
dren all thought it a wonderful plan, 
choosing Curly Locks, dear, then and 
there, to be Betsy Ross, and to powder 
her hair, and to sit in the old fashioned 
chair. 

When Flag Day came round, Mother 
Goose and her friends were there very 
promptly at four, and sat in the chairs 
that were set in straight rows, in front 
of the living room door. 


71 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


Then the door opened slowly; there 
by the fire stood an old-fashioned spin¬ 
ning wheel small, and Curly Locks too, 
only strange to relate, it did not look 
like her at all. She had curls of snow 
white fastened up on her head and a 
dear little cap on, of lace; and an old 
fashioned dress with kerchief of white; 
and she had a serious face, as she bent 
over sewing she held on her knee, so 
carefully stitching away. You would 
know at a glance this lady could sew 
and neatness and skill could display. 

A knock at the door! In Washington 
came. (It was really Jack Horner 
dressed so.) A uniform fine, with frills 


7 2 



To Betsy he made a deep how 





















MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

in the cuffs, gold buttons sewed on in 
a row. A sword by his side and his hat 
in his hand, to Betsy he made a de6p 
bow, “A word with you, Madam, cun 
you make a flag, for your country if 
I tell you how?” 

Betsy curtsied low, “Tis an honor 
indeed, and the work I am most proud 
to do.” Then Washington told how the 
flag should be made and the colors of 
red, white and blue. 

Then the Mother Goose children 
marched into the room each one wav¬ 
ing the red, white and blue. Then join¬ 
ing hands they all sang a song with 
Betsy and Washington too. 


74 


FLAG DAY 


“A very nice play/’ said old Mother 
Goose, “and now will you all follow 
me, to the dining room, please? And 
with Betsy and George, we all will be 
proud to take tea.” 



7 .? 



DICKY DOUBT ON THE FOURTH OF JULY 

H ICKY DOUBT was always out to 
have a jolly time. He liked to 
run and called it fun up great high 
trees to climb. It worried dear old 
Mother Goose who was afraid he’d fall, 
and so he often did but said it did not 
hurt at all. 

But then Dick thought he knew as 
much as grown folks did no doubt. 
There could not be a smarter boy than 
he, they’d soon find out! The other 
children laughed at him because they 
surely knew that boys like Dick have 


76 


FOURTH OF JULY 

things to learn as other children do. 

Dick liked to boss them in their 
games and tell them what to play. No 
matter how they did a thing, he knew 
a better way. They let him do it for 
awhile but very soon he found that 
when he wanted playmates, often there 
were none around. 

Throughout the year the holidays 
bring girls and boys much fun, and 
early in July another jolly time will 
come. For on the Fourth, dear Mother 
Goose invites them all to go and picnic 
at the shore near by. Such fun! As 
well they know. They will eat their 
supper on the beach and stay until it’s 


77 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

dark, and if they all are good may 
watch the fireworks, in the park. 

Of course the children all take naps 
so they may stay up late, for sleepy 
children soon get cross and find it hard 
to wait. At half past four they all start 
out. Each child has had his nap ex¬ 
cept for Dick who says he is too old 
for things like that. 

Down on the beach they race and 
play, with sand built castles tall. 
When waves come in and wash them 
down, they do not mind at all. When 
supper time draws near at last, the chil¬ 
dren laugh aloud, as Mother brings the 
basket out. They are a hungry crowd! 


78 


FOURTH OF JULY 



Down on the beach they race and play 

She spreads a cloth upon the beach, 
the sandwiches and cake, and nice cold 
milk from out a jug. Two glasses each 
may take. 

When all have had enough to eat 
and things are put away, they gather 


79 







MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


round dear Mother Goose and all are 
glad to stay. She tells them stories 
that they love, and then they beg for 
more until it grows so dark that they 
can scarcely see the shore. 

Then, SIS-BOOM-BANG! A rocket 
goes way out across the beach, and up 
above the water ’till the sky it seems 
to reach. Then BANG! it goes, once 
more, the children love to hear it too, 
then down drop stars in colors bright 
of red and green and blue. 

Next come the big balloons that float 
with pretty lights inside, up through 
the air, and up and out across the 
water wide. Then great, big wheels 

80 



The children quite excited, begin to clap and shout 








MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


whizz round and round and throw out 
colored fire and roman candles shoot 
out stars that go up higher and higher. 

The children quite excited, begin to 
clap and shout. It does not wake the 
sleeping boy, yes, it is Dicky Doubt, 
who is fast asleep in Mother’s arms 
and does not hear them shout, or see a 
single firework, for he is tired out. Al¬ 
though he has to miss the fun and all 
the sights, perhaps he will learn that 
Mother Goose knows best about small 
boys and NAPS. 



82 


MISS MUFFET AND THE SPIDER 

H S August days are very hot unless 
there is a breeze, Miss Muffet 
likes to play out doors, beneath the 
shady trees. She often takes her dolls 
and books and many other toys, and 
plays down in the orchard. The other 
girls and boys, prefer to run and race 
about although it may be hot, but if 
they ask Miss Muffet, she says she’d 
rather not. 

With little pebbles laid in rows and 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


pretty moss of green, she pretends to 
make a palace where she will be the 
queen. Her dolls are little princesses, 
she makes them crowns of flowers and 
with her royal family she passes happy 
hours. 

Miss Muffet wants to learn to sew 
and make her dollies’ clothes, for prin¬ 
cesses need many gowns as you may 
well suppose. Mother Goose has given 
her a box of bits of silk and lace, which 
delight Miss Muffet greatly. So with 
a happy face, she takes the box down 
by the trees and settles down to sew, 
while merry birds sing overhead and 
crickets chirp below. 


84 


MISS MUFFET 


The thread with which Miss Muffet 
sews is very long indeed. It surely is 
three times as much as she will ever 
need, and so of course, you may have 
guessed, it soon begins to knot. While 
Miss Muffet frets and worries until she 
grows quite hot. She jerks the thread 
and yanks the knot which only tighter 
grows; then very cross, upon the 
ground the sewing quickly throws. 

“I will not sew another bit with hor¬ 
rid thread like that!” and tears run 
down Miss Muffet’s cheeks, so rosy and 
so fat. Then “Oh, oh, OH,” Miss Muffet 
cries, for right above her head, she sees 
a great big spider there, hanging by a 


8S 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


thread. She jumps and runs a little 
way, then suddenly she turns. She 
thinks about that spider’s thread and 
wonders how he learns to manage one 
so nicely when she does not know how. 
So down she sits upon the grass, to 
watch the spider now. 

He is making such a great big web 
to hang down from the limb and if the 
thread breaks often, it does not bother 
him. With greatest patience, back 
again to make a better start, until the 
web is finished so it will not come 
apart. 

It hangs there in the sunlight wav¬ 
ing gently to and fro. A web so strong 

86 


MISS MUFFET 



She sits on the grass to watch the spider now 

and yet so light! The spider seems to 
know that he has made a perfect web 
and really done his best, so he settles in 
the corner to take his well-earned rest. 

Miss Muffet sighs and wisely nods 
and shakes her pretty curls, “Spiders 
have more patience, I think, than little 
girls!” 


8 7 






SIMPLE SIMON GOES TO SCHOOL 

H ING, ding, dong/’ the school bell 
rang. It had a joyful sound to 
Mother Goose’s children, for Septem¬ 
ber was around. They had played and 
had a merry time the long hot summer 
through. Now they were tired of play 
and glad of something else to do. They 
shared their lessons and their tasks, 
and also shared their joys. At school 
they learned of many things with other 
girls and boys—to read and write, 
arithmetic, and great long words to 

88 




SIMPLE SIMON 


spell. Each studied hard and tried his 
best to learn his lessons well. 

All but one boy, and Mother Goose 
felt sad about it too, for it was Simple 
Simon who loafed the whole day 
through. Oh, such a very lazy boy! 
He did not like to work and just a very 
simple task was very sure to shirk. No 
wonder he was stupid, for to learn he 
did not try. No wonder that poor 
Mother Goose would very often sigh. 
“Simple Simon, you are foolish not to 
learn the best you can, or some day 
you may grow to be a very stupid 
man.” 

When it was time to go to school, 

89 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

each day he’d find a reason for staying 
home, while others went, whate’er the 
month or season. “I felt too sick, my 
books were lost; it was not any use to 
go in late.” Such things as this would 
furnish his excuse. Of course some 
days he had to go and when he did 
arrive, he found in classes he must go 
with little boys of five. And even boys 
of five learned more when present ev¬ 
ery day, than ever Simple Simon could 
who often stayed away. 

Simple Simon was so silly that he 
even said with pride, “Let others go in¬ 
doors to spell, I like to be outside.” 
And so he was outside indeed, as Simon 


90 


SIMPLE SIMON 



Simple Simon with little hoys of five 


soon found out—outside the play, out¬ 
side the fun, there wasn’t any doubt. 
When other boys and girls had games 
and lessons all were done, he was not 
asked to join them, he was such a stu¬ 
pid one! So Simple Simon, left alone, 


91 








MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


at last unhappy grew. With not a boy 
to play with, he found it very true 
that fun is not one bit of fun if you 
are all alone for the pleasure shared 
with others is better than your own. 

He decided he had better go to 
school and try his best, and maybe 
study Saturdays to overtake the rest. 
Mother Goose, the dear old lady, was as 
pleased as she could be and she helped 
him with his lessons trying hard to 
make him see why two and two do not 
make three, or S-E-E, spell LOOK. At 
last poor Simple Simon, could read a 
simple book. 

He did not get discouraged, having 


92 


SIMPLE SIMON 



once made up his mind, he tried as 
hard as any other boy that you could 
find. Now other boys and girls are 
glad when Simon is about. “Three 
cheers for our wise Simon!” you often 
hear them shout. He acts so bright and 
quick and smart, he leads the games 
quite well. That a happier boy he is 
’tis plain enough to tell. 


93 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


When the time for writing letters to 
Santa Claus comes round, a neater one 
than Simon’s I am sure could not be 
found. And Mother Goose is smiling 
as at Simon’s list she looks, for the 
things that he has asked for are 
BOOKS and BOOKS and BOOKS! 



94 




THE CHILDREN ON COLUMBUS DAY 

H OLUMBUS DAY dawned bright 
and clear, October twelfth, the 
day, the children celebrated in the 
nicest kind of way! Dear Mother 
Goose took all of them, the large ones 
and the small, to visit old Antonio and 
make a pleasant call. 

Antonio was a sailor, before too old 
he grew, and then he lived in Italy, 
across the ocean blue. His family came 


95 




MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


from Genoa, a city old and great, and 
now all lived together in the United 
States. 

Antonio was feeble, yet was patient 
too, and gay, with a merry word for 
every one who chanced to come his 
way. He whittled little bits of wood 
and carved them into boats, and funny 
little sailor men, and horses, dogs and 
goats. The boats he fixed with thread 
for ropes, with bits of cloth made sails 
just like the larger ones on boats built 
for the ocean gales. 

He sold these cunning wooden toys, 
the price was never high, and the chil¬ 
dren were delighted when Mother let 


96 


COLUMBUS DAY 

them buy. Antonio had a shop quite 
small with shelves around the room, 
and a work bench in the corner. He 
hummed a jolly tune, as he whittled, 
cut and glued the wood and painted it 
with care. Each finished toy upon the 
shelf was placed with others there. 

Mother Goose’s little children all 
knew Antonio well. They often went 
to call and see the things he had to sell. 
But best of all, the pleasant things a 
call at Tony’s meant, that he would 
tell them stories of the days that he 
had spent when he was just a sailor lad 
and sailed the ocean blue; of cities 
strange and funny men. Oh, many 


97 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


things he knew, about great ships and 
icebergs, of porpoises and whales. Jack 
Horner and the other boys, of course, 
enjoyed such tales. 

And so it was with pleasure great, 
upon Columbus Day, they went with 
Mother Goose to call, and hoped that 
they might stay, just to hear him tell 
one story. Sure enough, he said he 
would, so they listened very nicely and 
politely as they should. 

He told them of a sailor who lived 
long years gone by, in an old Italian 
city. This sailor wished to try to find 
a great new country across the water 
blue, where men had never sailed be- 

98 



They listened very nicely and politely as they should 










MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


fore, he’d find the way, he knew. This 
sailor man was very poor and did not 
have a ship, so he went to see the 
Queen of Spain. It was a costly trip 
and so he had to walk part way, but 
at his journey’s end, he found the 
Queen who listened, and proved to be 
his friend. Some bags of gold she gave 
him to pay for ships and men and told 
him when he found the land, to her to 
come again. 

Columbus was this sailor, and across 
the blue he sailed, where men had 
never sailed before. They thought that 
he had failed, and wanted to turn back 
again, and said that they were lost, for 


IOO 


COLUMBUS DAY 


the wind was great and by the sea the 
boats were rudely tossed. But Colum¬ 
bus said he would not fail, the land was 
there he knew! And then one day, he 
saw at last, a tiny strip of blue! It was 
darker than the ocean. “Ah,” cried all 
the men, “’tis land!” and soon indeed 
they plainly saw a strip of shining 
sand. 

Columbus found America that day 
so long ago. How great a country it 
would be, oh, little did he know. But 
he was brave to sail the seas where 
none had been before. And, boys and 
girls, Americans should thank him 
more and more! 


IOI 



JACK AND JILL AT HALLOWE’EN 

H CTOBER is a jolly time for boys 
and girls to play. The trees shed 
leaves in colors bright to make a car¬ 
pet gay, and over it the frisky squir¬ 
rels will scamper to and fro, to hunt 
for nuts. They know quite well, where 
all the nut trees grow; and acorns 
brown with tiny cups with which to 
play at tea; horse-chestnuts too, for 
little boys to gather merrily. They 
stuff their pockets just as full as ever 


102 


HALLOWE’EN 


they can hold. While in the fields are 
corn stacks, and pumpkin balls of gold. 

Then one fine morning you will find 
that sometime in the night Jack Frost 
has left upon the grass, some diamonds, 
frosty white. And you will know that 
summer’s gone and winter’s on the 
way. The time will very soon arrive 
when Jack Frost comes to stay. 

The children like the fall, they like 
the frosty air so keen, but best of all, 
the holiday it brings them—HALLOW¬ 
E’EN. Oh, that’s the time when boys 
and girls may stay up late at night and 
dress in funny clothes and masks that 
make one look a sight. 

103 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


This year the children made their 
plans, oh, many weeks ahead, to have 
the nicest Hallowe’en that they had 
known, they said. So when the time 
at last came round and supper they 
had had, each went up stairs and soon 
came down in funny garments clad. 
Each had a mask, each had a horn, a 
rattle or a bell; and who was who, or 
which was which, was very hard to tell. 

Jack Horner was a rag man, and rang 
his bell, ding dong! The Queen of 
Hearts on roller skates went clattering 
along, dressed like a clown in suit of 
white, well trimmed with hearts of red. 
While Jack Sprat was a soldier with a 

IO4 


HALLOWE’EN 

helmet on his head. Then last came 
Jack and Jill, the twins, were both as 
Indians dressed. Of all the children, 
Mother Goose thought these two 
looked the best. 

Jack was a warrior, brave and tall and 
ready for the night; while Jill, his squaw, 
in leather dress, wore beads and feath¬ 
ers bright. They both had bows and ar¬ 
rows and moccasins, quite neat. Of 
course they could step softly with these 
upon their feet. Folks did not hear 
them coming until with all their might, 
they gave an Indian war-whoop that 
would surely cause great fright. 

Jack strutted proudly in his suit and 

io 5 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


said, “Just look at me! I am an Indian 
warrior brave, but Jill a squaw must 
be, ’cause girls cannot be warriors, but 
she may come along to do the work and 
other tasks, which to a squaw belong!” 
Beneath her mask Jill winked her eye 
and shook her straight black hair. Jack 
talked that way but then she knew, 
he liked to have her there. 

“Now don’t get into mischief, but 
have all the fun you can,” said Mother 
Goose as out they trooped, and many 
of them ran. Quite merrily along the 
street, they danced and jumped and 
played, and with their bells and rattles, 
all sorts of noises made. 


106 



It was running toward them howling 















MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


But what was that? Far down the 
street, they heard a sudden yelp, and 
then a howl. Was some one hurt, did 
some one need their help? They turned 
to go, but oh, dear me, they saw an aw¬ 
ful sight, an animal quite big and fierce 
with spots of black and white! It was 
running toward them howling and it 
made a dreadful noise, and Mother 
Goose’s children were frightened girls 
and boys! 

They turned and ran toward home as 
fast as ever they knew how. The sol¬ 
dier and the Indian felt very timid 
now. Jack was the first to reach the 
gate, for Indians run fast. But where 


108 


HALLOWE’EN 


was Jill? Oh, probably a girl would be 
the last. Then what did his astonished 
eyes see dimly down the street, but Jill 
and that great animal was lying at her 
feet. He could see her bending over it, 
however did she dare? Holding tight 
his bow and arrows, he must go to help 
her there. 

Although his heart was thumping 
and he really was afraid, this Indian 
lad went bravely to help the Indian 
maid. But when he reached the place 
she was, quite gaily Jill looked up, “I’d 
be ashamed to be afraid of Mr. Mur¬ 
phy’s pup! Bad boys have covered 
him with paint and tied cans to his 


IO9 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 

tail, which hurt him, so quite naturally 
he had to howl and wail.” She bent and 
gently patted the dog upon his head. 
Then turning round to Jack who 
looked ashamed indeed, she said, “The 
way you ran was funny and you w T ere 
scared I saw! If that is how a war¬ 
rior acts, I’m glad I’m just a SQUAW!” 



I IO 



JACK HORNER’S THANKSGIVING PIE 

H F Jack Horner’s wonderful Christ¬ 
mas pie, we have heard about. 
How he sat in a corner all by him¬ 
self and plums large and round did 
pull out. ’Twas not only at Christ¬ 
mas time Jack wanted pie, ah, no, 
every day I’m afraid, he would beg 
Mother Goose to have pie for dessert. 
He liked every kind that was made. 
Pumpkin pie, custard pie, peach, apple 
or mince, and all sorts of tarts, if you 
please, Jack loved them all well and 


III 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


for rich food like this and pastry des¬ 
serts he would tease. 

Of course Mother Goose was too wise 
to give in. She made him rice pudding 
instead, for boys who eat pie very 
often get sick and have to remain in 
their bed. Healthy children drink milk 
and eat custard and fruit, or a pretty 
blue bowl full of rice. Jack Horner 
the scamp, did not like food like this, 
he did not consider it nice. 

Thanksgiving was near; at the Moth¬ 
er Goose house, the grown-ups were 
busy, each one, getting ready for cous¬ 
ins and uncles and aunts, and grand¬ 
parents both to come. They would have 


112 


THANKSGIVING PIE 

a big dinner with turkey to eat! Such 
good things come Thanksgiving Day! 
All the children must try to be very 
polite at the table and also at play. 

The holiday came, the table was 
spread and looked very tempting in¬ 
deed. Mother Goose was contented 
with more than enough, this great 
happy family to feed. 

Jack Horner sat up in his chair like 
a man, eating dinner with manners po¬ 
lite. Although he liked turkey, he knew 
that dessert was the thing that would 
cause him delight. There were three 
kinds of PIE, he had watched while the 
cook had made them and baked them 

Ir 3 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


with care. He intended to have 1 a big 
piece of each one although it was more 
than his share. 

Mother Goose looked surprised when 
dessert time came round and Jack said, 
“I’ll take some of each.” She made no 
reply but put on his plate, some pump¬ 
kin, some custard, some peach! If he 
once had too much perhaps he would 
find that he did not want pie every 
day, that Mother knows best and for 
small boys to eat such very rich food 
does not pay. 

So Jack ate his pie. Yes, three dif¬ 
ferent kinds, until he had more than 
enough. Miss Muffet, Bo-peep and the 

"4 


THANKSGIVING PIE 


others were shocked to see how Jack 
Horner could stuff! When dinner was 
over the children went out in the or¬ 
chard to have a good play. All but 
Jack who felt sleepy and so thought 
perhaps it was best in the warm house 
to stay. He would go to his room and 
lie down for a while, on his own little 
comfortable bed; his stomach felt queer 
and sad to relate, he had a dull pain 
in his head. 

Jack soon fell asleep and he dreamed 
a queer dream as children quite fre¬ 
quently do after eating rich food. They 
find Mother knows best and that what 
she has told them is true. Jack 

”5 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


dreamed he was just a wee bit of a 
boy, he was only an inch or two tall. 
And that he was walking along on the 
street, when he suddenly heard some¬ 
one call, “Oho, little boy, you are just 
what I want. I will bake you with 
pleasure I know. No don’t try to run, 
I can catch you with ease no matter 
how fast you may go.” 

Frightened Jack looked around. The 
big pumpkin pie which was running 
along after him, had great big eyes and 
a great big mouth; his arms and his legs 
long and thin. In his hand was a knife 
like the one the cook used in the kitch¬ 
en when cutting a pie. And he waved 

116 



“Oho, little boy, you are just what I want ” 














MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


it at Jack who was too scared to run, 
or for that matter even to try. 

“You like to eat pie,” said this 
great big voice, which made Jack shiv¬ 
er and shake. “Now I will see what a 
dainty dessert, a boy named Jack 
Horner will make!” 

Jack shut both his eyes and gave a 
loud yell, he could feel the light blade 
so wide, close up to his stomach—he 
opened his eyes, and Mother stood 
there by his side. It was only a dream, 
he sighed in relief, but he would not 
forget the dream soon, and to make 
matters worse he could see Mother 
Goose had brought Castor Oil in a 
spoon! 

118 


THANKSGIVING PIE 


For days after that Jack Horner 
looked pale, never once did he men¬ 
tion a pie. He ate good rice pudding 
and custard and fruit, and said, “What 
a good boy am I!” 



”9 



THE MOTHER GOOSE CHILDREN HELP 
SANTA CLAUS 

■ HEY were ready for Christmas in 
Mother Goose land. They even 
had put up the tree, all ready for Santa 
to trim Christmas Eve. How happy 
and good they must be. They were 
thinking of dolls, of sleds and of skates, 
and of boxes of games, if you please. 
They each of them wanted a stocking 
stuffed full of all such nice presents as 
these. 

The sweet Queen of Hearts wished 


120 


SANTA CL A US 


for dishes for tarts, Jack and Jill each 
wanted a pail; Miss Muffet just hoped 
she might get a new bowl, Simple 
Simon, a book without fail. Humpty- 
Dumpty declared he must have a new 
face, his old one was all black and blue, 
Bo-peep wanted bells to tie on her 
sheep, then she never would lose them 
she knew. Boy Blue, as you’ll guess 
wanted Santa to bring, a horn that was 
shiny and bright. If only he had one, 
he’d mind all the sheep and drive all 
the cows home just right! 

The children all knew they must let 
Santa know of these things that they 
hoped he would bring. Was it best to 


121 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


write letters or ’phone? For they 
wished to be sure and do just the right 
thing. But old Mother Goose said 
she’d take them one day to call on 
old Santa Claus dear, and ask him po¬ 
litely to bring them these gifts for 
Christmas was now very near. 

They all rode on broom sticks away 
to the north, where the moon and the 
stars are so bright; and when they had 
come to old Santa Claus’ house, they 
peeked in the door. What a sight! 
They saw a huge workroom just 
crammed full of toys and there with 
his jolly old smile, stood Santa himself, 
but he frowned as he looked at some 
unfinished toys in a pile. 


122 



They all rode on broomsticks away to the north 

“Mrs. Santa/’ said he, “it just cannot 
be done. The list is a long one this 
year, and I don’t see how we can com¬ 
plete all the toys and the candy, with 
Christmas so near. If we only had 


123 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


helpers how nice it would be. Where 
to find them I really don’t know.” 
Then the door opened wide and in 
came Mother Goose. With her children, 
she stood in a row. 

They all made nice bows, then Boy 
Blue made a speech, “Dear Santa,” he 
said with a smile, “we all wanted pres¬ 
ents ourselves very much. We have 
ridden for many a mile just to ask you 
to bring us the things we want most, 
but while we were there by the door, 
we heard what you said to your wife 
about toys and that you need help to 
make more. Oh, please let us help, it 
would be lots of fun, we will work very 


124 



Bo-peep made toy lambs and Boy Blue made tin horns 





























































































MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


hard if we may.” Santa nodded his 
head, smiled his own jolly smile, 
a Good, children, of course you may 
stay!” 

They stayed all that week and they 
did not have time to think of their own 
gifts at all, so busy they were making 
toys of all kinds to please boys and 
girls, large and small. Queen of Hearts 
made wonderful gingerbread men, with 
raisins or nuts for their eyes; and if 
we could see all the pretty blue pails 
Jack and Jill made, ’twould cause us 
surprise. Miss Muffet made dollies and 
wee little chairs; Jack Horner put 
plums in a bag. 


126 


SANTA CLAUS 


Bo-peep made toy lambs that stood 
nodding their heads and had queer little 
tails that would wag! Boy Blue made 
tin horns that were shiny and bright, the 
kind that would please any boy. Best 
of all when he blew them they made a 
sweet tune, not the loud awful sounds 
that annoy. Poor Humpty Dumpty had 
an unhappy time, because he just could 
not sit still. As he could not make toys, 
old Santa Claus then gave him cornu¬ 
copias to fill. 

When Christmas Eve came and ’twas 
time to go home, the toys were every 
one done; and Santa had plenty to fill 
up the sleigh. The children helped do 


12 7 


MOTHER GOOSE FUN 


it. What fun! The reindeer and sleigh 
were ready at last and Santa Claus 
soon would start down. The children 
had broomsticks all ready to ride, back 
home to their Mother Goose Town. 

“Merry Christmas, dear Santa, we’ve 
had a good time, and thank you for 
letting us stay!” 

“Bless your hearts,” said old Santa, 
“I’ll see that you have the best kind 
of a Christmas Day. You started it 
right by trying to help, and then you 
found out every one, doing something 
for others at seasons like this, is just 
what makes Christmas Day fun!” 


128 



























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